Tower Records Going Out Of Business

[brandondrury]

I just heard about Tower records going out of business. I don't know much about them, but the fact that I know the name of what appears to be a huge record store and it's now going out of business is very interesting.

The system is switching gears and new technology is kicking in. Tower records attributes their bankruptcy to Itunes. Very interesting.

On a side note, our local movie rental store (which has been around for as long as I can remember) is closing its doors. Why? It looks like everyone is getting their movies from Netflicks (or is it Netflix) these days. I know of several people who use this service. I expect that legal movie downloads will be a huge deal in the next 5 years or so and even Netflick won't be able to compete.

Interesting.

The real questions is "How will the old school businesses closing effect us?". Any ideas?

Brandon

[TAlderson]

I think it sucks. I bought The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan used for $5, and it was in pretty much new condition. But, now that store went out of business. Generally, I buy used cd's, and generally, they're cheaper than iTunes. Also, I get the liner notes and the quality is cd-quality. People don't realize that you can get cheap cd's, especially used. Even big-name bands like the Beatles or Zepplin generally sell for about 8 or 9 bucks at a used cd store, and they're in good condition. Of course, most people nowadays listen to the shit they play on radio that the labels jack up to $20 a cd. So for them, $10 a cd that they can put straight onto their iPod sounds good.

For me, and probably a lot of you, though, it sucks

Another thing: You know those bins at the cd stores that are something like 3 bucks a cd, and they're all indie bands you've never heard of, but they sound good? I have a ton of stuff from that, and a lot of it is damn good. But I never would have heard of the Big Geraniums (and actual band, and they're good, too) unless I had gotten their cd.

In some ways, downloading has made it easier for bands to get their stuff out. But I bet that it's a lot harder for those bands to get any money or recognition, since people can now pick and choose the two songs they've heard of the band, instead of buying their album. While this might seem good, think about it: Would you rather have a thousand people buy your album, or five thousand buy that one song, and not listen to anything else?

I'd be willing to bet that people who buy the album are more likely to like the band (assuming the band is actually good), and therefore more likely to buy future albums, go to shows, etc. Now, people are less likely to buy the album of someon they don't really know, bu tbuy albums from big name people (I can't call them musicians) so they have a limited view and don't get much exposure.

Basically, I think it hurts music as a whole.

-Tyler

[brandondrury]

In some ways, this ties in with our "greatest hits" thread .
http://www.recordingreview.com/forum...p?topic=1055.0

More importance is placed on the "hit single" than ever before. Even though Aerosmith has a zillion albums and 10 zillion songs, I'm generally content with "Big Ones", the greatest hits cd that I own.

Just like I said in the other thread. I love being able to snag Eddie Money or Dire Straights Greatest Hits because I only need a few great songs from each to make me happy. However, my life wouldn't be the same if I didn't have the album experiences with some of my biggest influences. I'm sure all of us have entire albums that are special to us. When you get through the hits and find an entire record that effects you, something happens that changes you forever. Hopefully, that isn't going away with new technology.

Brandon

[lumpy]

The industry has changed. Some folks have rolled with the punches, other's are taking it on the chin. Imagine how many candlemaking factories went under at the turn of the 19th century.

It's always easy for these stodgie old iconic stores like Tower to blame their troubles on something else when the blame falls squarely on the feet of their uncreative executives. Douchebags probably have a nice incentive heavy retirement package too.

I do a lot of buisness with a small, independent local cd store. They seem to be doing all right, they even embrace satellite radio because it's turning people onto some new artists and they consequently want said artist's cd.

The live music scene has changed also. There are several venerable clubs going under. People just don't wanna have to deal with all the bullshit anymore.

Lump

[brandondrury]

Imagine how many candlemaking factories went under at the turn of the 19th century.

Great analogy, Lump. This is just part of progress.

I guess we all have this slight fear of the "conspiracy" that whipes this thing we all love and cherish (called music) off the face of the planet. Of course, the odds of that happening are essentially zero. Hell, even if they do whipe out music completely, they'll give you this chip that makes you think you were listening to music. So what's the difference?

Brandon

[kspacey]

I currently work at tower, And plan on being there till the day they close the doors forever. If and when they do.
The thing is the company who bought out tower, known widely for liquadting(sp) companies might turn around and revamp after the sale is over with.
The world or atleast almost all of southern california is pretty bummed about tower closing down. My personal appinion is holding a protest, to show great american that it's be better to revamp then to piss a lot of people off.
some one leaked the news too. My coworkers and i didn't hear it from our boss, we heard it else where, and that just isn't right. WE felt let down and extremely angry. They didn't even let us have a chance to take it all in before saying "the sale starts tomorrow" se we were kicked in the balls and then had someone twist them and pull them around. We wanted everyone who came into the store to to F-OFF.

Case in point. I think what needs to happen is everyone needs to stand up and not let tower get shut down. I would much rather have a few towers shut down then have all of them closing. (mind you there are some that are privately owned)

NOt everyone has a computer, not every one has a way of paying for things online, and not everyone has an MP3 player. I'm one of those people. I hate buying things online, and i like CD's more then i like mp3 players. My mom bought me one for christmas and i can't even get the damn thing to work.
I like buying CDs for the whole effect, but i like itunes for the fact that i can pay 99 cents and get that one song that i happen to like.... but i don't want to pay the 15 bucks to get the whole cd i may or may not like.

After all these years tower is going under, and for what reasons?
funny how all these "loyal" customers feel saddened by it but haven't done a thing to keep it afloat. I would like tower to be of the future and not my past. i want my daughter to grow up knowing that there was once a great record store out there.


Screw virgin, only reason they'll still around is becuase the guy who owns it can probably afford to pay off everything with his own money.... tower remanied true and i would really hate to see it go.

Someone organize a protest. I would myself but be an employing of MTS would get in a lot of trouble for it. So osmeone please protest and get great american to rethink what they are doing to this world by closing the doors to tower.

[lumpy]

kspacey,
It's refreshing to see employee loyalty these days. It's a shame that the management and owners of Tower Records are not as enthusiastic about their jobs as you are.

The leadership skills in this country are laughable; look at Congress for case in point. It's all part of the gear up, getting ready to wipe smelly old men's asses and serving up a big ol shitburger.

Lump

[brandondrury]

funny how all these "loyal" customers feel saddened by it but haven't done a thing to keep it afloat.

Doesn't being a loyal customer keep it afloat?

This reminds me of the Van Damme movie where Rosanna Arquette gets naked and doesn't want to sell the house to the rich guy who wants to put a shopping mall.

I guess the only difference is the owners want to sell. That kind of eliminates the need for the big Van Damme fight scene at the end.

Brandon

On a high note, at least Macaulay Culkin's brother isn't involved in this one.